May 14, 2008
Cigarette Taxes to be $2 a Pack in D.C.
Cigarette taxes are popular with voters, so it's no surprise, as we've mentioned earlier, that the D.C. Council voted Tuesday to include an additional $1 per-pack cigarette tax in the 2009 budget as a means of making up a predicted shortfall.
In a statement released today, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is calling the move, which brings the total tax on a pack of cigarettes in the District of Columbia to $2, a "win-win-win solution for the District of Columbia -- a health win that will reduce tobacco use and save lives, a financial win that will raise much-needed revenue and reduce tobacco-caused health care costs, and a political win that is popular with the voters."
Now, $2 a pack is a relatively steep tax -- the national average is $1.16 per pack. But for those of you who smoke, we're curious: since Virginia, with its low-low cigarette tax of 30 cents per pack is just a short Metro ride away, how do you think this tax will actually affect you? Other states that have increased cigarette taxes have seen a sharp reduction in youth smoking and a smaller one in overall cigarette consumption, but not many of those states have a neighboring state that residents can get to via public transportation. Take our short survey below and let us know.
Photo by maxedaperture
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I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Pentagon City Costco will see a significant increase in sales of cartons to DC residents and vendors.
I already buy my gas in VA, might as well buy my cigarettes too. No way in hell am I going to pay a $2 tax.
Welcome it. Commend it. These fucks who smoke in the 21st Century need to be taxed until they bleed.
It's holier than thou comments like the above why I still blow smoke in people's faces as they walk into a bar.
My plan to sell smuggled cigarettes on Klingle road is going well. Almost too well.
I have no problem with the taxes. Cigarettes, like gas and alcohol, are things I only buy in VA. CVS at Sprout Run sell cartons of Marlboros for only $31, WAY less than DC.
Even better, cigsless.com sell 3 cartons for $60 with shipping. The lower income people in DC who can travel to VA to buy by the carton really shouldn't be spending money on cigarettes anyway....
the city would make more money if they added a $100/rock crack tax or a $500/hr escort usage fee. they should also fine those who stand on the left (they are the true fucks).
they better not even THINK of touching my nicotine suppositories.
seriously, they're very stinky. they're menthols. and they make my poots smell like Binaca. just ask the pope.
It's Spout Run.
Does the CFTFK at least acknowledge that goals one and two are by their very definitions not mutually achievable?
Seems like a fair trade all in all. Washingtonians go to Virginia for $3 packs of cigarettes. Virginians come to DC for packs of $3 hookers.
Maybe this will help some of you primitives quit this disgusting habit.
Aside: When you're sitting in a bus shelter on 16th Street on a rainy morning and smoking, maybe you should take the fucking hint when other people would rather stand in the rain than be in there with you, you inconsiderate jackass.
Maybe you should take the Metro, jizzface.